Overall response rate was 66% (a reduction in >25% of paraprotien level) of which 33% were were complete responders.

6 patients had stable disease on this therapy.

15 patients proceeded to autologous bone marrow transplants

21% of these patients continue to be alive at 109 months of follow up.

Treatment was well tolorated. Only 4 deaths occurred during the study. One was treatement related -- due to sepsis. 2 deaths were non treatment related -- vascular events. And one death was unexplained.

Author's Conclusions

Intermediate dose Melphalan is well tolerated and capable of producing complete remission responses equal to those published with high dose melphalan.

Most pts had enough of a stem cell reserve to allow for a subsequent autologous bone marrow transplant.

Clinical/Scientific Implications

Intermediate dose IV Melphalan, as opposed to high dose, is an effective treatment for Multiple Myeloma with long term survival.

Oncolink's ASH Coverage made possible by an unrestricted Educational Grant from Ortho Biotech.